Colorado moves to forbid online lottery sales

DENVER — The Colorado House gave initial approval to prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets online.

The bill would forbid the Colorado Lottery Commission from approving such sales, and only in-person sales at licensed stores would be allowed. Lawmakers voted yes on the measure Monday with an unrecorded voice vote, setting up a final vote this week to refer the bill to the Senate.

Loveland Republican Rep. Brian DelGrosso, the sponsor of the bill, says it's a way to curb underage gambling.

Denver Democratic Rep. Dan Pabon opposed the bill, calling it a protectionist measure to stop market forces. But DelGrosso noted that that the state lottery falls under the purview of lawmakers and it's up to them to make decisions on how it's run.

A copy of House Bill 1142 in PDF format can be found in the Related Links section below.

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Pot is totally legal in Colorado, but lottery tickets can't be sold over the Internet.

It would be too easy for minors to get lottery tickets, but it's not easy for them to get the pot?

Colorado is becoming one mixed up state.

My goodness, I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected. A handful of people is ALWAYS affected.

Pot is totally legal in Colorado, but lottery tickets can't be sold over the Internet.

It would be too easy for minors to get lottery tickets, but it's not easy for them to get the pot?

Colorado is becoming one mixed up state.

My goodness, I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected. A handful of people is ALWAYS affected.

It's the " Thin Air" effect thinking. Lack of oxygen to the brain has major repercussions.

Pot is totally legal in Colorado, but lottery tickets can't be sold over the Internet.

It would be too easy for minors to get lottery tickets, but it's not easy for them to get the pot?

Colorado is becoming one mixed up state.

My goodness, I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected. A handful of people is ALWAYS affected.

LOL ..I was thinking the same thing

I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected

soooo true...and it's really all true freedom comes down to.Thinking for ones self and being able to live with their bad decisions should they have one or many

Pot is totally legal in Colorado, but lottery tickets can't be sold over the Internet.

It would be too easy for minors to get lottery tickets, but it's not easy for them to get the pot?

Colorado is becoming one mixed up state.

My goodness, I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected. A handful of people is ALWAYS affected.

One of the things that concern me about online lottery sales is the state(s) get their paper trail on the details of your gambling habits. Of course, once a database is established, a profile is available to any agency that wants it bad enough. I don't know about all states, but here in New Jersey, there is a certain anonymity to winning and collecting cash under $600 per ticket over the counter. With online, even if you can collect certain amounts without taxes, the state(s) will be aware of such winnings before they pay you. Goodbye "honor system". Plus it's a slippery slope is established to what I suspect the collective lottery comissions of all states want: an eventual casino like format where they can eliminate once or twice a day drawings with the physical annoyance of the "ball drop" machines and make the whole operation an electronic based operation. They want you to have the "freedom" to play ( and lose) a 3, 4 5, or big jackpot game as many times as you can hit the button. Make it your own personal drawing - your selected bet can win or lose while others that chose that same number lose or win, and just like what we are witnessing in casino gaming, we all are supposed to trust that the system is not rigged. The odds are horrendously in their favor anyway - I've never had faith that a computer programmed system of randomality is fair, or as fair as those using the balls floating in air.

But with a heavy heart I know this is the future, because progress means the corporations must succeed in being able to rake in more money in order for society to move forward. "Market forces" must have their way. It's also sad when they get the luxury to have so many citizens cheering for this new step up the total dominance ladder because it makes it easier for the individual to play. It's like toddlers cheering being able to get unlimited candy or being able to access cartoons on TV 24/7. The market forces are expert at crafting and deploying the lure.

Seems so simple: three digits, 168 to one odds when boxed... all you have to do is pick the right ones!

Another day another shameful example of the political corruption practiced by this country's politicians to serve their own political interest at our expense and our freedom.....and sadly, it's all done according to our beloved politicians, because they know what is best for us and our kids when what it really comes down to is paving the way to serve their special interest. You just can't make this stuff up and it goes on everyday across this country and people continue to drink the cool aide.

I got news for all the politicians in this country, God gave me the ability to make my own choices and a voice to exercise those choices and it will be a cold day in hell before i pour the tainted cool aide of either political party down my throat

"Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip, conflict calms down.

Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire, quarrelsome people kindle strife."

"It proablely has more to do with the retailers keeping their 5% sale commissions than keeping kids from buying tickets."

...... I have said before.. Instead of the retailers fighting to stop online ticket sales, they should get on board with it.. sell lottery rechargable cards, where peaople top up the amount they want on the card in store to use later online. They will still get the % from the sale, sure they wont get lots of sales on whatever stuff they may offer in the store by having you stop by everyday but some people like me never buy anything else anyway.. I buy my tickets in a cigar/cigarette shop, I do not smoke so tickets are the only business they get from me, I just prefer it as most customers are there for smoking supplies which makes the ticket checker empty for me to use.. If they sell recharge type tickets, they wont have to worry about the underage and retailers get their cut as usual and nothing changes except now the customers will have choices and people living in states like I do, dont have to drive out in harsh winter snowy days just because I need to get my numbers. They already sell all these other cards and moneypaks, itunes and all that.. why not add state lottery to it.

Pot is totally legal in Colorado, but lottery tickets can't be sold over the Internet.

It would be too easy for minors to get lottery tickets, but it's not easy for them to get the pot?

Colorado is becoming one mixed up state.

My goodness, I wish governments would stop trying to ban stuff. Just give people an ounce of credit for being able to think for themselves, and don't base every decision on the fact that a handful of people could possibly be affected. A handful of people is ALWAYS affected.

No, It doesn't make sense

Our system of right and wrong is going down the road of making rules and regulations to have all control over everything. By goodness if you don't have good morals and decency,we will make a law out of it governing you to do so.

While you would think common sense and reasonableness would prevail, you know, YOU KNOW someones child would get on line and play the lottery,rack up $$ if they lost to mom/dads account. Lord forbid if they won !!....Can you see the problems that would create ?? Can on line lotteries be 100% trusted ??? I am on the fence about that one.

LMAO @ the pot issue...C'mon Todd, you know nothing like that will ever happen<eyeroll> and no parent would ever try to file suit against the marijuana distributor....Never happen<smirk>

I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best, "

“Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”